US Halts Bomb Shipment to Israel Amid Concerns Over Potential Ground Operation in Rafah
In a bold move last week, the US put a hold on a bomb shipment destined for Israel, citing fears that the country was gearing up for a major ground operation in Rafah, located in southern Gaza. According to a senior administration official, the shipment in question included a staggering 1,800 2,000lb (907kg) bombs and 1,700 500lb bombs, as reported by CBS News, a media partner of the BBC in the US.
Expressing unease over Israel’s lack of attention to the humanitarian needs of civilians in Rafah, the official stated that the concerns had not been adequately addressed by Israeli authorities. Despite the silence from Israel on the matter, the White House administration official emphasized the US stance against a significant ground operation in Rafah, where over a million individuals seek refuge with limited alternatives.
“We have been engaged in ongoing discussions with Israel through our Strategic Consultative Group to address the critical humanitarian requirements of civilians in Rafah and to strategize on approaching Hamas differently in the region compared to other parts of Gaza,” stated the official.
Highlighting the meticulous review process, the official revealed the decision to halt one weapons shipment last week, specifically focusing on the potential impact of the 2,000-lb bombs in densely populated urban settings like those seen in other areas of Gaza. The fate of the paused shipment, comprising of the hefty bombs along with 500lb bombs, is yet to be determined.
Regarding other cases involving JDAM kits at the State Department, the official assured that evaluations were ongoing for future transfers, emphasizing that the current reviews were unrelated to the Israel supplemental appropriations in April and were sourced from previously allocated funds from years past. — BBC
